Bridgestone wins design rights lawsuit in China
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The Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China has ruled in favour of Bridgestone Corporation in a lawsuit against Shandong Hawk International Rubber Industry Co., Ltd. (Hawk Tyre). Bridgestone had alleged that the Chinese manufacturer infringed its tyre tread design rights.
In June 2017, Bridgestone filed the lawsuit, claiming that tyres manufactured by Hawk Tyre utilised the Bridgestone Ecopia R102 bus and truck tyre tread pattern, thus violating Bridgestone’s design rights. In January 2024, the Supreme People’s Court ruled in favour of Bridgestone and ordered Hawk Tyre to pay RMB 300,000 (£33,150) in damages.
Announcing its legal victory, Bridgestone emphasises that it “treats intellectual property as a key management resource” and takes any unauthorised use or infringement of its patents, design rights, trademarks, or any other intellectual property “very seriously.” The company adds: “With this level of vigilance, Bridgestone is prioritising the safety and reliability associated with its products, as well as maintaining and enhancing its hard-earned brand value.”
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